Tensioner for window regulator

A tensioner (41) for a window regulator (16) for raising and lowering a window (14) of a vehicle (10), comprising:

• a first tensioner support (50);
• a second tensioner support (56);
• a spring (52) disposed between the first tensioner support (50) and the second tensioner support (56);
• an adjusting rack (55) slidably mounted to a recessed area (57) of the second tensioner support (56);
• and
• a spring biased tab portion (150) mounted to the first tensioner support (50) the spring biased tab portion (150) configured to engage teeth (152) of the adjusting rack (55) in order to allow for an irreversible increase in the a length of the tensioner (41) when an end (154) of the adjusting rack (55) contacts a wall (156) of a receiving area (57).

A window regulator (16), comprising:

• at least one guide rail (18);
• at least one cursor (20) slidably mounted to the at least one guide rail (18);
• at least cable (23) operably coupled to the at least one cursor (20) at one end and a cable drum (28) at an opposite end;
• at least one cable sleeve (40) surrounding the at least one cable (23), the at least one cable (23) slidably received within the at least one cable sleeve (40);
• a motor (32) mounted to a housing (30), the motor (30) operably coupled to the cable drum (28) such that operation of the motor (32) will rotate the cable drum and cause movement of the at least one cursor (20) along the at least one guide rail (18);
• a tensioner (41) located between the housing (30) and the at least one cable sleeve (40), the tensioner comprising:
• a first tensioner support (50);
• a second tensioner support (56);
• a spring (52) disposed between the first tensioner support (50) and the second tensioner support (56);
• and
• an adjusting sleeve (54) configured to engage features of the first tensioner support (50) as the second tensioner support (56) is moved away from the first tensioner support (50) due to a biasing force of the spring (52).